it is difficult to estimate

USAGE SUMMARY

"it is difficult to estimate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that the scope or size of something is difficult to calculate accurately. For example: "It is difficult to estimate how much the project will cost."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is difficult to estimate the social costs of needlessly high rates of imprisonment.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is difficult to estimate how much Mr. Trump made, in total, from Trump University.

The New York Times

Due to interdependence of these parameters, it is difficult to estimate them accurately.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

It is difficult to estimate this decline in the traditional way.

Journal of Computational Science

With earthquakes it is difficult to estimate initial losses so it was forced to revise its estimates during the year.

The Guardian - Business

"It is difficult to estimate how many civilians or militants are present in the city," General Abbas said.

The New York Times

"We know from experience that it is difficult to estimate the budgetary cost of such programs," he said.

The New York Times

It is difficult to estimate the number of children enrolled as a result of the city's efforts.

The New York Times

It is difficult to estimate the water quality of the wastewater treatment process, because the operating conditions are frequently changed.

Measurement

However, it is difficult to estimate [32].

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

It is difficult to estimate the proposed conditional density weight.

Journal of Statistical Distributions and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "it is difficult to estimate" with specific details or factors that contribute to the uncertainty. This adds depth and credibility to your analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "it is difficult to estimate" as a blanket statement without providing supporting evidence. Always offer some explanation or insight into why the estimation is challenging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is difficult to estimate" functions as an evaluative statement, indicating that a precise calculation or assessment is problematic. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's usable in written English to express uncertainty in determining scope or size.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is difficult to estimate" is a versatile phrase used to express uncertainty or challenges in making accurate calculations or assessments. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. Its frequent use in scientific and news media indicates its relevance in professional communication. When using the phrase, provide context or reasons for the difficulty to enhance clarity and credibility. Consider related phrases such as "it is challenging to gauge" or "it is hard to quantify" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is challenging to gauge

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and "estimate" with "gauge", suggesting a demanding assessment.

it is hard to quantify

Substitutes "difficult" with "hard" and "estimate" with "quantify", focusing on the challenge of expressing something numerically.

it is not easy to determine

Emphasizes the lack of ease in determining a specific value or outcome.

it is tough to assess

Uses "tough" instead of "difficult" and "assess" in place of "estimate", highlighting the rigor required in the evaluation.

the figures are hard to come by

Indicates that obtaining the necessary data for an estimate is problematic.

the data is elusive

Highlights the difficulty in finding or capturing the data needed for estimation.

precise calculation is problematic

Focuses on the issues in performing precise calculations.

accurate prediction is unreliable

Shifts the focus to the lack of reliability when trying to predict accurately.

the scope remains uncertain

Indicates that understanding or measuring the full extent is indefinite.

measuring this is complex

Implies that the process of measurement involves many interacting factors making it complicated.

FAQs

How can I use "it is difficult to estimate" in a sentence?

Use "it is difficult to estimate" when you want to express that something is hard to calculate or determine accurately. For example, "It is difficult to estimate the long-term effects of climate change".

What are some alternatives to "it is difficult to estimate"?

You can use phrases like "it is challenging to gauge", "it is hard to quantify", or "it is not easy to determine" depending on the specific context.

Is "it is difficult to estimate" formal or informal?

"It is difficult to estimate" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "it is challenging to gauge".

What makes something "difficult to estimate"?

Factors such as incomplete data, complex variables, or unpredictable influences can make something "difficult to estimate". For instance, the future economic impact of a new technology might be "it is difficult to estimate" due to these uncertainties.